Chords In The Minor Scale

Understanding Chords in the Minor Scale: A Comprehensive Guide

Minor scales, with their evocative melancholic quality, are fundamental to music theory and composition. Understanding the chords built within a minor scale unlocks a world of harmonic possibilities, allowing you to create rich and expressive musical pieces. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of minor chords, exploring their construction, function, and application in various musical contexts. Whether you're a beginner seeking a solid foundation or an experienced musician looking to deepen your understanding, this article will provide you with the knowledge and tools to master minor chord progressions.

Introduction to Minor Scales and Their Chords

The minor scale is a musical scale with a characteristic descending interval pattern of whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole steps. Unlike the major scale's bright and cheerful sound, the minor scale possesses a darker, more pensive character, often associated with feelings of sadness, introspection, or mystery. There are three main types of minor scales:

• Natural Minor: This is the most basic form of the minor scale, and the one we'll primarily focus on in this article. Its characteristic intervals create a naturally melancholic sound.

• Harmonic Minor: This scale alters the seventh degree, raising it by a half step. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly towards the tonic, adding a dramatic and slightly dissonant flavour.

• Melodic Minor: This scale has a different ascending and descending form. The sixth and seventh degrees are raised in the ascending form, creating a smoother, more major-like melody. The descending form reverts to the natural minor scale.

The chords built within a minor scale are derived from its constituent notes. Just like the major scale, each degree of the minor scale can serve as the root of a chord, creating a unique set of chords with distinct harmonic functions.

Constructing Chords in the Natural Minor Scale

Let's use the A natural minor scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) as an example to illustrate chord construction. Each chord is built by stacking thirds (intervals of three semitones) above the root note:

1. i - Am (A minor): A - C - E. This is the tonic chord, providing a sense of stability and resolution.

2. ii - Bm (B minor): B - D - F. This is the supertonic chord, often adding a sense of anticipation or tension.

3. iii - C major: C - E - G. This is the mediant major chord, adding a brighter element to the minor key.

4. iv - Dm (D minor): D - F - A. This is the subdominant chord, often used to create a feeling of movement towards the tonic.

5. v - Em (E minor): E - G - B. This is the dominant chord, creating a strong sense of pull towards the tonic.

6. vi - F major: F - A - C. This is the submediant major chord, another brighter chord that adds variety.

7. vii° - G diminished: G - B - D. This is the leading tone diminished chord, creating a strong pull to the tonic.

Understanding Chord Function in the Minor Key

The function of each chord within a minor key is crucial for creating effective and expressive music. While the functions are similar to those in a major key, there are nuances:

• Tonic (i): Provides stability and resolution. It's the home base, where the music typically ends.

• Supertonic (ii): Creates anticipation, often leading to the dominant.

• Mediant (iii): Provides a brighter, major-like contrast. It can add a sense of unexpectedness or lift the mood.

• Subdominant (iv): Creates a sense of movement towards the tonic. It often precedes the dominant chord.

• Dominant (v): Creates a strong pull towards the tonic. It is often the most powerful chord in the minor scale, creating a strong sense of resolution when it resolves to the tonic.

• Submediant (vi): Offers a contrasting major chord similar to the mediant.

• Leading Tone (vii°): Creates a strong pull towards the tonic due to its leading tone interval. It adds a heightened sense of anticipation.

Common Chord Progressions in Minor Keys

Understanding chord function allows you to create compelling chord progressions. Here are some common and effective progressions in minor keys:

• i - iv - v - i: A classic progression that provides a strong sense of resolution. (Am - Dm - Em - Am)

• ii - V - i: A progression that builds tension and releases it on the tonic. (Bm - Em - Am)

• vi - ii - V - i: A more sophisticated progression that adds variety and colour. (Fmaj - Bm - Em - Am)

• i - iii - vi - iv - V - i: A longer progression that incorporates major chords for a more interesting harmonic landscape. (Am - Cmaj - Fmaj - Dm - Em - Am)

Experimenting with these and other combinations will help you to develop your own unique style and approach. Remember to consider the overall mood and feel you wish to convey.

The Role of Seventh Chords in Minor Keys

Adding seventh chords introduces more complexity and harmonic richness. Seventh chords are built by adding a seventh interval to a triad. In minor keys, you'll encounter several types of seventh chords:

• Minor Seventh (min7): Am7 (A-C-E-G) is built on the tonic. It adds a darker, more introspective tone compared to a major seventh.

• Minor Major Seventh (minmaj7): A-C-E-G# is built by adding a major seventh to a minor triad. It blends minor and major qualities and creates a sophisticated and slightly dissonant sound.

• Dominant Seventh (7): Em7 (E-G#-B-D) is built on the dominant. This chord creates an extremely strong pull to the tonic, intensifying the resolution.

• Half-diminished Seventh (ø7): Dmø7 (D-F-A-C) built on the subdominant. It has a sophisticated and unique sound.

• Diminished Seventh (o7): Gm°7 (G-Bb-D-F) is built on the leading tone. It is very dissonant and generally used sparingly to create heightened tension before resolution.

Adding Suspensions and Other Extensions

Adding suspensions and extensions to the basic chords further enhances the harmonic possibilities. Suspensions (sus2, sus4) temporarily delay the resolution to the third, creating a sense of anticipation. Extensions (9th, 11th, 13th) add complexity and color, but require careful handling to avoid muddiness.

Analyzing Minor Key Songs

Listening critically to songs written in minor keys can greatly enhance your understanding of minor chord progressions. Pay attention to the chord changes, the use of major and minor chords, and the overall harmonic movement. Try to identify the key and the function of each chord within the progression. This active listening will improve your ability to create your own minor key compositions.

Practical Applications and Exercises

To solidify your understanding, practice building and playing minor chord progressions on your instrument. Start with simple progressions and gradually incorporate more complex chords and progressions. Experiment with different voicings and inversions to explore various tonal colors. Try improvising melodies over these progressions to further develop your understanding of harmonic relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What's the difference between natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales?

A: The natural minor scale is the most basic form, with a characteristic interval pattern. The harmonic minor raises the 7th degree, creating a strong pull to the tonic. The melodic minor has different ascending and descending forms, with the 6th and 7th degrees raised in the ascending form.

Q: How do I identify the minor key of a song?

A: Look for the most frequently used chord, which is typically the tonic. The tonic will also provide a sense of home or resolution. Pay attention to the overall melodic contour and the feel of the piece.

Q: Can I mix major and minor chords within a minor key?

A: Absolutely! This is a common technique used to create interesting and unexpected harmonic movements. The interplay between major and minor chords contributes to the character and complexity of the music.

Q: What are some common mistakes beginners make with minor chords?

A: Common mistakes include confusing the intervals of the chords, overlooking the unique functions of each chord, and overusing the same simple progression repeatedly. Careful practice and theoretical understanding help resolve these issues.

Conclusion

Mastering minor chords is a crucial step in becoming a proficient musician. The ability to create rich and evocative chord progressions opens up a wide range of creative possibilities. By understanding the construction, function, and interplay of minor chords, you'll unlock a vast world of musical expression and composition. Remember, consistent practice, active listening, and a deep understanding of music theory will significantly enhance your skill and creativity. So, start experimenting, explore the beauty of the minor keys, and let your musical imagination soar!